Printing device



0. B MEYERS PRINTING DEVICE Oct. 30, 1934.

Filed April 20. 1932 @INVENTOR 15* Q5. W BY M MA M A/J ATTORNEY PatentedOct. 30, 1934 STTES PTENT FFlfiE PRINTHNG DEVICE Application April 20,1932, Serial No. 606,311

15 Claims.

, instance, in printing labels for use on boxes containing collars, thelabel for any one manufacturer would be the same except the designationof the style of the collar and the size. The size and style would be thesame for a given number of labels and then it would be desirable toprint another given number of labels bearing a different size and/orstyle designation.

Heretofore it has been the practice to print labels of this nature bymeans of a machine in which the type is set up in a rack or chase. Themembers carrying the type are clamped between racks of parallel barsand, if it is desired to change even one type bearing member, it isnecessary to loosen the entire chase.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a type bearing elementwhich may be clamped in place in such a rack or chase, the elementhaving a plurality of faces bearing different type and so arranged thatit may be rotated, while clamped firmly in the chase, in order to bringthe different type into operative position. Thus, when printing a numberof labels differing only in the color, size or the like designation, itis possible to change the type without I dismantling the chase.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of this naturewhich is simple, cheap to manufacture and which may be readily changed.

1 tion will be apparent from the following description considered inconnection with the accompanying drawing which forms a part of thisspecification and on which: Fig. 1 is a front view of a frame or chaseshowing several of my improved members in position; Fig. 2 is across-sectional View of one of the members and is taken on the line 2-2of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and IFig. 5 is a front view of the improved printing member.

1 as Referring more particularly to. Fig. 1, reference Furtherobjectsand advantages of my inven-' character 10 designates generally aframe or chase in which the type is set up. The frame is generallyrectangular in shape and comprises a pair of vertical side members 11, alower horizontal side member 12 and an upper horizontal to side member12a. The vertical side members 11 are formed with grooves 13 in theirinner faces. A plurality of bars 14 extend parallel to the upper andlower side members and have their ends in sliding engagement with thevertical side members 11 by virtue of the fact that said ends extendinto the grooves 13. The lowermost bar 14 may be integral with lowerside member 12.

The printing members are designated generally by reference characters 15and 16. Members 16 are of known form and comprise blocks havingshoulders 17 and front faces 18. The faces 18 carry type. The printingmembers 16 print the portion of the label which remains unchanged, suchas the manufacturers name, trade-mark, address or the like.

The printing members 15 form, per se and in combination with the rest ofthe device, the subject matter of this invention, and, as will appearhereinafter, are so formed that the same printing 8[] member is capableof printing several different things. These printing members carry thetype for printing size, color, style or the like designations which itis usually desirable to change, while retaining the same setup for therest of the label.

A pressure plate 19 is arranged to bear against the uppermost bar 14 andis forced thereagainst by means of a threaded member 20 engaging athreaded hole in upper side member 12a. Memher 20 is preferably providedwith a handle 21 for rotating it.

In the printing device shown for the purposes of illustration, the inkis applied by means of a ribbon, as in a typewriter. This ribbon travelsback and forth between spools 22 and 23 rotatably mounted in arms 24 and25, respectively. Any suitable means may be provided for rotating thespools in order to wind the ribbon ofi one spool and onto the other.Rollers 26 are provided to guide and properly position the ribbon. Arms24 and 25 are secured to a rotatable shaft 2'? which is mounted inbearings 28. Shaft 27 is provided with a handle 29 for rotating it inorder to raise the arms 24 and 25 carrying the spools 22, 23 and 26 andto thus move the ribbon from in front of the type. This is desirable inorder that easy access may be had to the type for setting it up and forchanging any of the printing members 15.

The frame or chase 10 is rigidly supported by means of arms 30. Securedto chase 10 by means of hinges 31 is a table or platen 32. The label tobe printed is placed on platen 32 and the platen is rotated about hinges31 so as to carry the label up and press it against the ribbon locatedin front of the type carried by chase 10, whereby the ribbon is pressedbetween the label and the type and prints the label. One of the pins 33of hinges 31 may be rigidly secured to the portion of the hinge which isattached to table 32 and may thus be employed to rotate the tableupwardly towards the type. To effect this rotation, a handle 34 issecured to the end of pin 33.

In Figs. 2 through 5 there is illustrated in detail my improved printingmember. The mem ber comprises a cylindrical core 35 having fiat upperand lower ends. The ends are parallel and preferably machined so as toprovide flat surfaces for clamping between pairs of bars 14. .Rotatablymounted on core 35 is a type-bearing element .36 which is formed with aplurality of outer faces. For purposes of illustration, it is shown withsix outer faces. Element 36 is providedwith a central opening which ismade up of a plurality of cylindrical surfaces 37, the number of suchsurfaces corresponding to the number of outer faces. Cylindricalsurfaces 3'7 are separated by pairs of plane surfaces 38 meeting to forman angular recess 39. The thickness of core 35 is slightly greater thanthe thickness of element 36, for example five thousandths of an inch, asis clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5 in order that the core may beclamped between a pairof bars 14 without the bars clamping. therotatable element .36. On each side of core 35 there isprovided'aprojection 40 adjacent to the circumference of the core. Eachprojection 40 has an aligning surface 41 which lies in a plane of achord of the cylindrical core. When the printing member is placed inposition between a pair of bars 14, the aligning surface 41 bearsagainst the frontfaces of the bars, as is shown particularly in Fig. 2,and positions the printing member.

Core 35 is provided with a hole 42 extending from the cylindricalsurface of the core some distance into the core. The hole may extend forthe entire diameter of the core, as is shown particularly in Fig. 3, inwhich'case a shoulder 43 is provided. .A coil spring 44 is containedwithin hole 42 and bears against shoulder 43 and against a ball 45.Spring 44 and ball 45 comprise a spring pressed detent which is adaptedto engage the recesses 39 formed in the inner surfaceof element 36.Thus, when ball 45 is in engagement with one of these recesses, theelement 36 is retained in a desired position with relation to core 35and some force in a rotational direction is required to displace it.

Inasmuch as the thickness of core 35'is slight ly greater than that ofelement'36, the latter'is capable of slight movement in an axialdirection between bars 14 when the printing member is clamped in place.However, the difference in thickness is only in the nature of fivethousandths of an inch, and hence this slight movement isunobjectionable. If, "however, it is desired to prevent this movement, agroove may be formed in each of the plane surfaces 38 to receive ball 45and to thuscenter element 36 axially with respect'to core 35. Thecircumferential edges of projections 40 may be spread by a center punchin order-to form small projections 400.. These projections 40a serve toprevent: element 36 from positions between the bars 14.

sliding axially ofi core 35 when the printing member is removed from thechase. By aligning projections 40a with one of the recesses 39, element36 may be removed from core 35 but the engagement of ball 45 with one ofthe recesses prevents such alignment from occurring accidentally.

The faces, or some of them, of element 36 are provided with printingtype, the type on different faces being different. In Fig. 5, the threefaces shown bear type for printing 15", 15 and. 15%". Obviously, thetype on these faces could be for printing the names of different styles,colone or like designations.

In operation, the type is set up by loosening pressure plate 19 so thatpressure on the bars 14 is relieved. Printing members 16 bearing themanufacturers name, trade-mark and the like, which are to remainunchanged during the printing of all the labels, are put in their properLikewise, the printing members 15 hearing size, color or the likedesignations are placed between bars 14 in the desired position.Thereupon the pressure plate 19 screwed down and the bars 14 serve toclamp the printing members 15 and 16 tightly in position. The paper onwhich the label is to be printed is placed on table or platen 32 andhandle 34 is rotated so that table 32 carries the paper up against theribbon, which is in turn pressed against the type.

After a number of labels have been printed bearing, for instance thesize designation 15 and it is desired to print a number of labelshearing the size designation 15 it is only necessary to raise the ribbonout of the way by means of rotating handle 29 and to then rotate element36 of the printing member which bears the type for printing the sizedesignation while this element remains in the chase. Element 36 isrotated until 15 appears in front and the element is automaticallyretained in the proper position by means of ball 45 engaging recess 39.Thereupon, the ribbon is again lowered into place and the printingoperation continued.

It will thus be seen that by means of my improved device the changing ofone or more of the words or numbers printed on a label may be easily andquickly done without tearing down the entire setup of type. Obviously,as many or as few of my improved printing members may be employed in anygiven setup of type as the occasion may demand.

While I have described one or more less specific embodiment of myinvention, it is to be understood that this is for purposes ofillustration only and it is intended that modifications thereof shallfall within the scope of my invention, which is to be limited only bythe appended claims viewed in the light of the prior art.

What I claim is:

1. In a printing device, a rectangular frame, a bar parallel to one sideof said frame, the ends of said bar having sliding engagement withopposite sides of said frame, a member between said bar and saidfirst-mentioned side of said frame, said member comprising a centralcore, the opposite ends of said core providing clamping surfaces, atype-bearing element rotatably mounted on said core, said element havinga plurality of faces and type mounted on some of said.faces, and meansfor clamping said core between said bar and the first-mentioned side ofsaid frame, the thickness of said core being greater than the thicknessof said element where- -ba-r parallel to one side o'f said framejtheends "by there is clearance between said element and said bar and first"mentioned side when said core is clamped between 'the'latter so thatsaid element -is free to'rotate on said core.

2. In a printing device, a rectangular frame, a

of said bar having sliding engagement with opposite sides of said frame,a member between said bar and'said first-mentioned side of said frame,said member comprising a cylindrical central core, the opposite ends ofsaid core providing clamping surfaces, a type-bearing element having agenerally cylindrical opening therethrough, said element beingrotatablymounted on said core, the cylindrical surfaceof said openinghaving a series-of recesses formed therein, a spring pressed detentcarried by said core for engagement in said recesses, said elementhaving a plurality of faces corresponding in number to the number ofsaid recesses and type mounted on some of said faces, and means forclamping said core between said bar and the first-mentioned side of saidframe, thethickness of said core being greater than thethickness of saidelement whereby there is clearance between said element and said bar andfirst mentioned side when said core is clamped between the latter sothat said element is free to rotate on said core.

3. In a printing device, a rectangular frame, a bar parallel to one sideof said frame, the ends of said bar having sliding engagement withopposite sides of said frame, a member between said bar and saidfirst-mentioned side of said frame, said member comprising a cylindricalcentral core, a projection on the end of said core adjacent to thecircumference thereof, the inner side of said projection having asurface lying in the plane of a chord of said cylindrical core, atype-bearing element rotatably mounted on said core, said element havinga plurality of faces and type mounted on some of said faces, and meansfor clamping said core between said bar and the first-mentioned side ofsaid frame.

4. In a printing device, a rectangular frame,

a bar parallel to one side of said frame, the ends of said bar havingsliding engagement with opposite sides of said frame, a member betweensaid bar and said first-mentioned side of said frame, said membercomprising a central core, the opposite ends of said core providingclamping surfaces, a type-bearing element rotatably mounted on saidcore, said element having a plurality of faces, type mounted on some ofsaid faces, means for clamping said core between said bar and thefirst-mentioned side of said frame, the thickness of said core beinggreater than the thickness of said element whereby there is clearancebetween said element and said bar and first mentioned side when saidcore is clamped between the latter so that said element is free torotate on said core, and means for retaining said element in positionwith any of said faces parallel to said bar.

5. In a printing device, a rectangular frame, a plurality of barsparallel to one side of said frame, the ends of said bars having slidingengagement with opposite sides of said frame,a member between two ofsaid bars, said member comprising a central core, the opposite ends ofsaid core providing clamping surfaces, a typebearing element rotatablymounted on said core, said element having a plurality of faces and typemounted on some of said faces, and means for clamping said core betweensaid two bars, the thickness of said core being greater than thethickness of said element whereby there is clearance between saidelement and said two bars when said core is clamped between the latterso that said element is free to rotate on said core.

6. A printing member comprising a central core, the opposite ends ofsaid core providing clamping surfaces, a type-bearing element rotatablymounted on said core and slidably removable therefrom, the thickness ofsaid core being greater than the thickness of said element, said elementhaving a purality of faces, and type mounted on some of said faces.

7. A printing member comprising a central core, the opposite ends ofsaid core providing clamping surfaces, a type-bearing element rotat ablymounted on said core and slidably removable therefrom, the thickness ofsaid core being greater than the thickness of said element, said elementhaving a plurality of faces, type mounted on some of said faces, andmeans for retaining said element in desired positions with respect tosaid core.

8. A printing member comprising a cylindrical central core, the oppositeends of said core providing clamping surfaces, a type-bearing elementhaving a central opening therethrough, said opening being bounded by aplurality of cylindrical surfaces separated by plane surfaces, saidelement being rotatably mounted on said core and slidably removabletherefrom, the cylindrical surfaces bearing against said cylindricalcore, a spring pressed detent carried by said core for engagement withsaid plane surfaces to retain said element in desired positions withrespect to said core, said element having a plurality of faces equal innumber to said cylindrical surfaces, and type mounted on some of saidfaces.

9. A printing member comprising a cylindrical central core, the oppositeends of said core providing clamping surfaces, a type-bearing elementhaving a central opening therethrough, said opening being bounded by apurality of cylindrical surfaces separated by pairs of plane surfacesmeeting at an angle, said element being rotatably mounted on said coreand slidably removable therefrom, the cylindrical surfaces bearingagainst said cylindrical core, a spring pressed detent carried by saidcore for engagement with said pairs of plane surfaces to retain saidelement in desired position with respect to said core, said elementhaving a plurality of faces equal in num- 12.: her to said cylindricalsurfaces, and type mounted on some of said surfaces.

10. A printing member comprising a cylindrical central core, theopposite ends of said core pro viding clamping surfaces, a type-bearingelement having a central opening therethrough, said opening beingbounded by cylindrical surface having spaced recesses therein, saidelement being rotatably mounted on said core and slidably removabletherefrom, the cylindrical surface bearing against said cylindricalcore, a spring pressed detent carried by said core for engagement withsaid recesses to retain said element in desired position with respect tosaid core, said element having a plurality of faces equal in number tosaid recesses, and type mounted on some of said faces.

11. A printing member comprising a central core, a type-bearing elementrotatably mounted on said core, the thickness of said core being greaterthan the thickness of said element, said element having'a plurality offaces, type mounted on some of said faces, and a projection having analigning surface extending axially from one side of said core.

12. A printing member comprising a cylindrical central core, atype-bearing element rotatably mounted on said core, the thickness ofsaid core being greater than the thickness of said element, said elementhaving a plurality of faces, type mounted on some of said faces, and aprojection extending axially from one side of said core adjacent to thecircumference, said projection having an aligning surface lying in aplane of a chord of said cylindrical core.

13. A printing member comprising a central core, a type-bearing elementrotatably mounted on said core, the thickness of said core being greaterthan the thickness of said element, said element having a plurality offaces, type mounted on some of said faces, a projection having analigning surface extending axially from one side of said core, and meansfor retaining said element in desired positions with respect to saidcore.

14. A printing member comprising a cylindrical central core, theopposite ends of said core providing clamping surfaces, a type-bearingelement having a central opening therethrough, said opening beingbounded by cylindrical surface having spaced recesses therein, saidelement being rotatably mounted on said core, the cylindrical surfacebearing against said cylindrical core, a spring pressed detentcarried'by said core for engagement with said recesses to retain saidelement in desired position with respect to said core, said elementhaving a plurality of faces equal in number to'said recesses, typemounted on some of said faces, and a projection having an aligningsurface extending axially, from one side of said core.-

15. A printing member comprising a cylindrical central core, theopposite ends of said core providing clamping surfaces, a type-bearingelement having a central opening therethrough, said opening beingbounded by a plurality of cylindrical surfaces separated by planesurfaces, said element being rotatably mounted on said core, thecylindrical surface bearing against said cylindrical

